Gaming methods and multi solution dice and tile therefor

ABSTRACT

A multi-solution dice and tile has an at least partially transparent, hollow, three-dimensional shape. The dice includes M, free-to-move, inner display members located inside the dice. Each time the dice is tossed and reaches a static display position, one or more display members are arranged on an elevated plane E, spaced apart from a lower plane L, on which other display members are arranged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Amongst the many objects used in games and other social activities two types of objects are commonly in use: dice and various configurations of tiles or gaming pieces (such as typically used in domino and mahjong).

The traditional and standard dice is a cube having six faces with each face showing a single number from one to six. Standard dice have been used for ages throughout the world in dice games, board games, card games and gambling. The standard use of the word dice is referred to herein as “dice” or “die tossing”. The term “solution” is referred hereafter to the particular number or combination of numbers (as used in multi-faced dice) or marking on display on, e.g., the upper face of the dice obtained after tossing. This position, in which the dice has been tossed, and became static, or stable, is referred to herein as a display position. The numerical solution obtained in tossing the standard dice is usually limited to a random, single number, one to six.

After the dice is tossed, the number and/or marking displayed on the face of the upper surface of the dice is the “solution” of the particular toss. Although, two or more dice can be tossed, in which case, the number of solutions can be increased only when adding additional dice. The numbers on the faces of a standard dice can be changed to markings (which can include and/colors), in which case the random selection in a toss is between six distinctive markings In using dice which have more than six faces, the obtained solution in a toss is the random selection between the span of numbers or markings on all the faces of the dice. As a result of this structure of the dice, the solution will always be the same when the dice falls on the associated opposite face.

The term “tile” is referred to hereafter to either a tile or a block or a gaming piece (and the plural of each) used in games and other social activities. Tiles are typically used in sets with each tile of the set presenting only a permanent marking-display that can be either/or numbers, symbols, figures or colors and varies in accordance with characteristics of the use of the tiles. The marking-display is typically presented on one of the surface-faces of each of the tiles. The markings are often hidden from view by the players until they are displayed by exposure, to be seen by all.

The term “solution” is referred hereafter to the particular number or numbers and/or markings displayed on a particular tile or tiles in the course of using sets or sub-sets of tiles in games and other social activities. Since the numbers and/or markings are permanent, each set or sub-set of displayed tiles generates just one solution. This solution will always be the same, when the same surface-faces of a set or sub set of tiles are exposed.

Multi solution dice, in accordance with embodiments of the present application displays the equivalent of multiple possible solutions each time the dice is tossed and falls on the same surface-face, and these displays are different and random marking/displays with each toss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the subject matter of the present invention, there is provided a multi-solution dice and tile which has an at least partially transparent, hollow, three-dimensional shape; the dice includes M, free-to-move, inner display members located inside the dice.

in a static display position of the dice, one or more display members are arranged in an elevated plane E, spaced apart from a lower plane L, in which other display members are arranged.

There is further described a gaming method configured for integration with dice games, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. determining a set of rules according to a chosen game;     -   b. tossing the dice;     -   c. after the dice reached the display position, reading, or         determining, the solution of the combination of markings and/or         colors according to the set of rules.

A gaming method configured for integration with tile games, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. determining a set of rules according to a chosen game;     -   b. tossing a first dice;     -   c. after the dice reached the display position, tossing a second         dice identical to the first dice;     -   d. according to the set of rules, placing the second dice         alongside the first dice, wherein one viewable arrangement of         inner display members of one side of the tossed dice matches in         color, numbers, combinations thereof, or is identical to, the         respective portion of the static dice;     -   e. tossing an additional dice and repeating the above         sections (b) to (d).

Any of the following features, either alone or in combination, may be applicable to any of the above aspects of the subject matter of the application:

The dice can include N>4 identical portions.

The elevated and lower planes E, L can be parallel.

Only a single display member lies in the elevated plane E.

All the inner display members have a spherical shape.

Each portion can include an at least partially flat plate, each of which has inner and outer faces.

The dice comprises outer faces, each of which can have at least one mark printed, painted or carved thereon.

The mark can be a number.

The dice is configured to statically, and stably, rest on a flat surface.

N can be an even number.

M can be equal to, or larger than 4.

M can be 5.

The three-dimensional shape can be a regular polyhedron.

The three-dimensional shape can be a cube.

All the inner display members can have the same diameter.

Each inner display member can have a different color.

In a display position, the inner display members are configured for a unitary form of arrangement adjacent a respective inner surface which is located closest to the surface on which the dice rests in the display position.

The mark can be an arrow or any orientation mark.

Although in the past, a die was known in the field as the singular form of dice, modern dictionaries and linguistics contend that the word dice can be used both in the plural and/or singular sense of the word. The word “dice” will therefore be referred to herein in both the plural and singular sense. According to the present example, the dice is a partially transparent cube built of durable, partially transparent, rigid material. The dice includes balls located inside of it. Each ball can have a different color and/or marking There can be two different kinds of markings on the faces of the cube:

-   1. Markings that are numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors, as     required for the specific use of the dice. Each face can have a     different, permanent marking -   2. Permanent orientation marking on each face, indicating the     direction of the face of the dice relative to the balls in the cube.

When tossed onto a level surface the dice always lands and comes to a rest on one face with the markings of the upper face visible. When the dice is tossed, the balls inside the dice are mixed. When the dice lands on one face and comes to a rest, the balls fall to the bottom of the dice and position themselves at random in a formation structure of four balls in a square and the fifth ball on top and at the center of the four balls in the square structure.

When used as either a die or a tile the dice is tossed onto a level surface from either a hand or from a cup; one or more dice can be tossed together. After being tossed, the dice lands on one face and comes to a rest. When at rest the upper face of the dice displays one of six numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors markings (as used specifically) In addition, the dice displays on the upper face one of four configuration possibilities of the orientation marking on the particular surface-face. In every toss, after the dice comes to a rest, inside the dice the arrangement of a particular colored ball on top of the other balls and the placement arrangement in a square of the other colored balls is randomly determined The maximum number of different ball-arrangements is obtained when each of the balls has a different and distinct color that distinguishes it from the other four balls. The distinction between the various balls does not necessarily rely on the differences in color and can (also) be done by a permanent sign or mark on each of the balls.

The term “dice solution” is referred hereafter to the particular combination of number or numbers and/or marks and/or colored ball arrangements derived from combining the solution from the upper face of the dice with the ball arrangements inside the dice after the dice comes to a rest after being tossed.

dice solutions depend on the desired combinations and vary in accordance to the use of the dice.

Examples of how various dice solutions can be obtained are given below. In the example each of the five balls has a different color:

a) If the desired solution is represented by (only) the colored ball on top of the other four balls there are 5 possible solutions.

b) If the desired solution is derived from using the numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/on the faces of the dice, there are 6 possible solutions.

c) If the desired solution is derived from combining the numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors on the faces of dice, and the colored ball on top of the other four balls, there are 30 possible solutions.

d) If the desired solution is derived from the arrangement of all five colored balls, there are 30 possible solutions.

e) If the desired solution is derived from combining the orientation markings with the arrangement of all five colored balls, there are 120 possible solutions.

f) If the desired solution is derived from combining the numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors on the faces of the dice with the arrangement of all five colored balls, there are 180 various possible solutions.

g) If the desired solution is derived from combining the numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors on the faces of the dice with the arrangement of all five colored balls and with the orientation markings, there are 720 possible solutions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a multi-solution dice and tile, in accordance with an embodiment of the current application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a preferred example, a dice 10 has a six-face 12, or six-portion 12, cube shape, which contains five balls 14, or inner display members 14. Each ball 14 can have a different color, or alternatively, some of the balls 14 can have an identical color. The distinction between the various balls 14 does not necessarily rely on the differences in color and can (also) be done by a permanent sign or mark 16 on each of the balls 14. The dice 10 can be produced of a durable, at least partially transparent, and rigid material such as plastic. According to the present example, the balls 14 have the same diameter. The balls can be made of a durable and rigid material. Each of the faces 12 of the dice 10 can include a unique and permanent number 16 and/or symbol 18 and/or letter and/or shape and/or color. In FIG. 1, numbers 1 and 4 are displayed as examples of numbers on two different faces 16 of the six faces 16 of the semi-transparent cubic dice 10. In addition to the numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors, each face 12 can include a permanent orientation marking 18, exemplified by arrow-heads 18 in the FIG. 1.

The five balls 14 are enclosed in the dice 10 and can move freely within the volume of dice 10. When the cube is tossed the balls 14 are juggled or mixed within the dice 10. The inner volume of the dice 10 and dimensions of the balls 14 are “designed” such that after tossing, when the dice 10 comes to a rest, the 5 balls 14 always set themselves on the floor (or inner face) of the cube; a single ball 14 on top of the other four balls 14 having a square formation structure. The one ball of the five balls 14 on the top of the other balls is designated 20, as shown in the Figure.

In other words, according to the subject matter of the present invention, after the dice 10 is tossed and reaches the static, display position, four out of the five balls 14 fall into, i.e., are automatically arranged, a single possible formation, in which the four out of five balls 14 are arranged, or lie, in a single, lower plane L confined by all the adjacent, surrounding faces 12. The fifth ball 20 then falls, or lies in, a recess 15 created by the balls (between them). After falling into the recess 15, the fifth ball 20 is then situated in an elevated plane E, which is spaced apart from the lower plane L. This arrangement is repetitive, in the sense that the number of balls 14 arranged in plane L will always remain the same (i.e. four balls in the present example). This occurs, since the space inside the dice 10 adjacent the respective lower-most face confines, or accommodates, only four balls, depending on their diameter. In the present example, where only two balls can fit along an edge of the cube, each ball 14 has a diameter, which is equal, or slightly (to prevent wedging, and allow free movement during tossing) shorter, than half the edge-length EL, or face length of the cube-shaped dice. In the present example, the diameter is chosen to allow exactly four balls which lie in the lower plane L, or every pair of balls which lie along each respective edge around the face closest to the surface on which the dice rests. This confinement principal can be applied to almost any regular polyhedron shaped dice 10, which has side faces 12 which can confine a precise number of balls to lie on, or along, the lower plane L associated with (or adjacent to) one of the faces 12. After tossing, while the dice 10 is spinning, the balls 14 are thus free to move in the hollow space within the dice 10.

In using the embodiment of the dice described above and deploying five balls each having a different color in games and other social activities various presentations of dice solutions can be utilized:

-   -   1. If the desired solution is represented by the colored ball on         top 20 of the other four balls 14, there are 5 possible         solutions.     -   2. If the desired solution is derived from using the         numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors 16 on the faces of the         dice, there are 6 possible solutions.     -   3. If the desired solution is derived from combining the         numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/16 on the faces of dice with the         colored ball on top (20) of the other four balls 14, there are         30 possible solutions     -   4. If the desired solution is derived from the arrangement of         all five colored balls (14 and 20), there are 30 possible         solutions.     -   5. If the desired solution is derived from combining the         orientation markings 18 with the arrangement of all five colored         balls 14 and 20, there are 120 possible solutions.     -   6. If the desired solution is derived from combining the         numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors 16 on the faces of the         dice with the arrangement of all five colored balls 14 and 20,         there are 180 various possible solutions.     -   7. If the desired solution is derived from combining the         numbers/shapes/symbols/letters/colors 16 on the faces of the         dice with the arrangement of all five colored balls 14 and 20         and with the orientation markings 18, there are 720 possible         solutions. 

1. A multi-solution dice (10) and tile having an at least partially transparent, hollow, three-dimensional shape; the dice (10) comprising M, free-to-move, inner display members (14) located inside the dice (10); wherein in a static display position of the dice (10), one or more inner display members (14) are arranged on an elevated plane E, spaced apart from a lower plane L, on which other inner display members (14) are arranged.
 2. The multi- solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the dice (10) comprises N>4 identical portions or faces (12).
 3. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the elevated and lower planes E, L are parallel.
 4. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein only a single inner display member (14) lies in the elevated plane E.
 5. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein all the inner display members (14) have a spherical shape.
 6. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 2, wherein each portion (12) comprises an at least partially flat plate, each of which has inner and outer faces.
 7. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the dice (10) comprises outer faces (12), each of which has at least one mark (16, 18) printed, painted or carved thereon.
 8. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 7, wherein the mark (16, 18) is a number.
 9. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the dice (10) is configured to statically, and stably, rest on a flat surface.
 10. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 2, wherein N is an even number.
 11. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein M>4.
 12. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein M=5.
 13. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a regular polyhedron.
 14. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a cube.
 15. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 5, wherein all the inner display members (14) have the same diameter.
 16. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein each inner display member has a different color.
 17. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 1, wherein in a display position, the inner display members (14) are configured for a unitary form of arrangement adjacent a respective inner surface which is located closest to the surface on which the dice (10) rests in the display position.
 18. The multi-solution dice (10) and tile according to claim 7, wherein the mark (16, 18) is an arrow or any orientation mark.
 19. A gaming method configured for integration with dice (10) games, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a set of rules according to a chosen game; (b) tossing the dice (10) according to claim 1; (c) after the dice (10) reached the display position, reading, or determining, the solution of the combination of markings and/or colors according to the set of rules.
 20. A gaming method configured for integration with tile games, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a set of rules according to a chosen game; (b) tossing a first dice (10) according to claim 1; (c) after the dice (10) reached the display position, tossing a second dice (10) identical to the first dice (10); (d) according to the set of rules, placing the second dice (10) alongside the first dice (10), wherein one viewable arrangement of inner display members (14) of one side of the tossed dice (10) matches in color, numbers, combinations thereof, or is identical to, the respective portion of the static dice (10); and (e) tossing an additional dice (10) and repeating the above sections (b) and (c). 